Worldwide demand for sand and gravel is increasing daily, as the need for these materials continues to rise, for example in the construction sector, in land filling and for transportation sector based infrastructural projects. This results in over-extraction of sand from channel beds, and hampers the natural renewal of sediment, geological setup and morphological processes of the riverine system. In India, illegal sand mining (of alluvial channels) and gravel mining (of perennial channels) are two anthropogenic issues that negatively affect the sustainable drainage system. Along the Kangsabati River in India, the consequences of sand mining are very serious. The construction of Mukutmonipur Dam (1958) on the river causes huge sediment deposition along the middle and downstream areas, these same areas are also intensely mined for sand (instream and on the flood plain). Geospatial models are applied in order to better understand the state and the resilience of stream hydraulics, morphological and river ecosystem variables during pre-mining and post-mining stages, using micro-level datasets of the Kangsabati River. The book also includes practicable measures to minimize the environmental consequences of instream mining in respect to optimum sand mining. It discusses the threshold limits of each variable in stream hydraulics, morphological and river ecological regime, and also discusses the most affected variables. Consequently, all outputs will be very useful for students, researchers, academicians, decision makers and practitioners and will facilitate applying these techniques to create models for other river basins.

This book addresses most of the environmental impacts of sand mining from small rivers The problems and solutions addressed in this book are applicable to all rivers that drain through densely populated tropical coasts undergoing rapid economic growth. Many rivers in the world are drastically being altered to levels often beyond their natural resilience capability. Among the different types of human interventions, mining of sand and gravel is the most disastrous one, as the activity threatens the very existence of river ecosystem. A better understanding of sand budget is necessary if the problems of river and coastal environments are to be solved.

The purpose of this paper is to examine sustainable construction practices with respect to the use of substitutes for sand in construction and the enforcement of the same through legislation. It is a well-known fact that the use of riverbed sand for construction purposes has gradually led to excessive sand mining. This has in turn affected the environment and further, the recent lack or high cost of availability of such sand has led to not only various malpractices, but also the need to find an eco-friendly cost effective substitute. Theoretical concerns: (1) the continuation of sand mining leads to the death of water bodies (2) the complete substitution of riverbed sand with manufactured sand would lead to excessive quarrying and thereby death of mountains (3) the malpractices that may be the outcome of both these activities. The complete substitution would lead to hazardous environmental impact. Thereby, there is a need to provide for a balance between the use of both these sand in construction. Such balance, be it through the additional use of other substitutes, can be achieved only through a legislative approach. Summary of the concern: This paper provides for an understanding of the necessity of sand mining, its process, and the impact of the same to the environment. The paper examines the effect of lack of availability of riverbed sand or rather, the high cost of availability of the same due to the ill-effects of excessive mining. It goes on to investigate the various cases in which such high cost of availability has resulted in malpractices in construction by various Developers, in particular, the instances of using filtered sand for construction which have resulted in structural deficiencies and in many cases collapse of the structure. In such cases, it is usually the public who is affected, be it as a victim of the collapse of the structure or as the investor in the project. This paper examines the various substitutes that may be used for sand, in particular, manufactured sand. It is also called crushed stone sand or artificial sand. The paper provides for a comprehensive understanding of the process manufacture of such sand, its properties, justifies its substitutability, and examines the pros and cons of the same. One of the problems that the paper focuses on is the aspect that manufactured sand may also have its own adverse effects on the environment, namely, increase in quarrying and the disappearance of mountains and hills in the process. Finally, this paper attempts to suggest the possible provisions of such legislation after the examination of various decisions of the Supreme Court, National Green Tribunal, and Committee Reports. Research methodology A doctrinal method of research purely based on various published articles in journals, newspapers, magazines, and books has been employed to achieve the purpose of this paper in accordance with the objectives of the Conference. Main arguments (1) There is an increasing need to substitute riverbed sand in order to protect water bodies and groundwater. This is evidenced by the various decisions of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal to protect water bodies from the harmful effects of sand mining. Further, it is also evidenced by various articles in newspapers and magazines increasing the awareness about the problems and harms that can be attributed to sand mining. (2) The lack or high cost of availability of sand has led to malpractices such as the use of filtered sand evidenced by reported instances of structure collapse. (3) Manufactured sand, when used in the right proportion with riverbed sand or other substitutes helps achieve sustainable construction practice which has been evidenced by articles by various scholars.

River sand mining from the Maha Oya is the main source of income and a force that drives economic activity for residents along the river. This study takes place in Sri Lanka, there are three villages included in this project: Jambugaswatte, Janituspuraya and Thoppuwa. In Sri Lanka, sand serves as the main building material. It is used to make bricks, tiles, asphalt and concrete, therefore demanding a high market value. However, the over-extraction of sand comes along with significant environmental problems. These communities depend on the river in many ways and the health of the river directly corresponds to the health of the ecosystem as a whole. Along the Maha Oya two important elements of survival are in conflict with one another: residents simultaneously need a healthy, thriving ecosystem to live in, as well as economic opportunities. With support from the Environmental Foundation Ltd. (EFL)--a Sri Lankan environmental justice NGO--this study focuses on the complex situation with sand mining on the Maha Oya. Data for this study comes from fifteen formal interviews with a Sinhala-English translator. These interviews are used to address the two research questions for this project: how do village residents along the Maha Oya perceive sand mining? And what are the emotional, practical and theoretical responses of village residents to the effects of sand mining on their local ecosystems? In order to envision a sustainable future, it is vital to begin with a clear understanding of community perceptions of these complex issues, which are at the heart of this project.

This volume explores the spatial side of sustainability using cases from India. It provides a variety of chapters from scholars from West Bengal and elsewhere in the country, highlighting spatial perspectives on environmental issues and offering insight on sustainable development in the subcontinent from a geographical perspective. A wide variety of topics are covered here, including but not limited to mitigation of and adaptation to climate issues, hydrogeomorphologic issues, environmental management, agricultural sustainability, ecosystem services, urban environmental management and tourism issues. The lessons learned here are transferable to other contexts, and the book is a resource for researchers, academics, practitioners, government organizations, NGOs and anyone else interested in the spatial side of sustainability.